Sometime before adulthood, you got involved with an obscure religious sect that demands strict obedience. It may not be an evil group, but it is certainly secretive about its beliefs and practices. There are many unusual deities or ideals that you might embrace. Whatever they are, it’s unusual and offputting to others. Sometimes your leaders plan illegal or taboo acts for you to commit that further the cult’s agenda. These plans don’t necessarily harm others, but sometimes they make members of the cult uncomfortable. Not that they’d ever admit it.

Skill Proficiencies: Persuasion, Religion
Tool Proficiencies: Disguise kit
Languages: One of your choice.
Equipment: Common clothes, ritual robes, a small cult idol (holy symbol), a book of teachings, and a belt pouch containing 15 gp

Unorthodox Belief

The exact nature of your cult’s worship depends on its beliefs, and which god, entity, or philosophy you embrace. Your cult could be a radical sect of an existing religion, or it might worship a strange god.

d8    Belief

1. Primordial Cult. The world was stolen from the primordial gods, and one day they’re going to get their due.
2. Cult of Sowm. Sowm, the First Mother, isn’t dead, but lives in hiding from her murderous son Daemoth.
3. Cult of Sarnoss. Civilization and industry are a blight on the natural world.
4. The Hollow Crown. All the gods were killed centuries ago, and now the religions of the world only seek to maintain their false power.
5. Order of the Emptied Chalice. The Black Arcane arts are gifts from the gods.
6. The Black Lotus. Consciousness and the material world are illusions.
7. Fundamentalist. If I am prepared, death will grant me godhood.
8. Racial Cult. There is only one race the gods approve of. The rest are abominations.

Feature: Inner Circle

When your cult’s leader teaches or pronounces an edict, you’re privy to the information. You know what rites or tasks your brethren and sisters of the inner circle have planned, and (subject to DM discretion) you have some sway with the cult’s leader. You can usually lodge with fellow cultists if need be, and they may keep you fed and supplied in return for performing tasks and following the cult’s strictures, which you and your DM should define.

Suggested Characteristics

Cults are often driven by the charisma and manipulation of a single leader. Trust in that leader is essential for the believers to continue faithfully within the group. Often the death of the leader jars the members of a cult to their senses. Consider who the leader of your cult is, what your relationship is, and determine how secure you are in the beliefs you’ve been taught.

  d6  Personality Trait

1. No one can shake my faith, even with proof.
2. I don’t hold an attachment to worldly things, since I’m destined to inherit much better.
3. My sanity is slipping after years of seeing things not meant for mortal eyes.
4. My brothers and sisters of the order are dearer to me than life.
5. My face is always an expressionless mask lacking empathy or feeling.
6. I indulge in worldly pleasures to drive away the guilt of partcipating in disturbing rituals.

  d6  Ideal

1. Faith. I long for the day when all my beliefs will be vindicated. (Good)
2. Ministry. Anyone and everyone is a possible convert, if I can get them to trust me first. (Neutral)
3. Power. This cult is a lie, but I can use it to influence others and get what I want. (Evil)
4. Obedience. I support my leaders. Even when they cause me pain I know it’s for my own good. (Lawful)
5. Safety. I comply with this nightmare of a religion just to stay alive. (Neutral)
6. Vengeance. The cult harmed me and now I stay involved to sabotage its goals. (Chaotic)

  d6  Bond

1. It started with seeking approval, but now I’ve fallen in love with my cult’s leader.
2. My best friend was sacrificed or hurt by my brothers and sisters in the cult.
3. My parents raised me to believe in this, and they still watch my devotion like hawks.
4. I’ve come into possession of an artifact that disproves my cult’s beliefs.
5. My leader has entrusted me with a secret quest that the other members can’t know about.
6. I fell in with the cult’s enemies, and now I feed them information on our activities.

  d6  Flaw

1. I like to reference obscure scripture and teach others what they should believe.
2. The most casual happenstance might be a sign from my god.
3. I’ll sacrifice anything to further my cult’s agenda: friendships, possessions, even your life.
4. I have a secret sin or practice that would brand me as a hypocrite.
5. Sometimes the letter of the law causes me to violate the spirit of the law.
6. I’m intolerant and disparaging to those who look or believe differently.

As a trained medic, surgeon, or physician, you’ve seen all sorts of injuries and illness. You’ve learned how to handle common medical situations without breaking a sweat, and your familiarity with important cases and treatments comes in handy.

Skill Proficiencies: Medicine, Persuasion
Languages: Two of your choice.
Equipment: 3 healer’s kits, a vial of antitoxin, an anatomy sketchbook, fine clothes, a magnifying glass, and a belt pouch containing 10 gp

FEATURE: MEDICAL PRACTICE

You have a place of practice where you commonly see patients, and where you can get clean water, linens, ointments, and other items useful to treating the sick. At your practice you have records of local and famous medical cases, references for diagnosing rare illness, and contact information for other medical professionals that you can ask for assistance. In times of war or pestilence, you may be called on to treat the injured or infirm.

SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS

An infirmary can be a shocking place, and doctors practically live there. Not much can faze them—even non-medical situations that strike others as odd or uncomfortable don’t make doctors bat an eye. For some, though, the constant reminder of harm can make them overprotective or neurotic.

  d6  Personality Trait

1. I listen patiently to the complaints of others.
2. I’m used to having an assistant when performing intense tasks, and at times expect others to fill that role.
3. I’m uncomfortable with emotional intimacy.
4. I take my downtime very seriously, and resent things that pull me away from relaxation.
5. People always complain about my long-winded and patronizing explanations.
6. I deflect stress and difficulties with humor.

 d6  Personality Trait

1. I listen patiently to the complaints of others.
2. I’m used to having an assistant when performing intense tasks, and at times expect others to fill that role.
3. I’m uncomfortable with emotional intimacy.
4. I take my downtime very seriously, and resent things that pull me away from relaxation.
5. People always complain about my long-winded and patronizing explanations.
6. I deflect stress and difficulties with humor.

  d6   Ideal

1. Kindness. There are souls in anguish, living or dead, and I can help them. (Good)
2. Love. I lost someone close to me and I’m determined to stay close to their spirit. (Neutral)
3. Knowledge. This gift will one day teach me something truly profound if I perfect it. (Neutral)
4. Fame. This is my ticket to celebrity. (Neutral)
5. Duty. I have a responsibility to bring important messages across the veil to many people. (Lawful)
6. Dominion. I decide what their dead loved ones say. I have complete control over them. (Evil)

  d6  Bond

1. No matter what I do, I can’t speak with the spirit that’s most important to me.
2. Someone powerful got an answer they didn’t like from a spirit, blamed me, and destroyed my life.
3. There’s one mysterious spirit that torments me, and I know there’s a reason.
4. I learned a secret about myself or the afterlife that no one else knows, and it’s tearing me apart.
5. A spirit told me the location of its hidden treasure.
6. I have a wealthy patron who gets me into the highest circles.

  d6  Flaw

1. I bluntly speak the truth without regard for people’s feelings.
2. When it comes down to it, I trust the dead more than the living.
3. Showmanship is more important than honesty.
4. The dead terrify me.
5. I believe that no one can or will understand my burdens.
6. I’m convinced that nothing really matters in the grand scheme of things. Death is the great equalizer.

You have studied law, qualifying you for legal services in a particular jurisdiction. This understanding has sharpened your verbal skills and taught you how to use narratives to influence people. Language is one of your greatest tools. Your career in law might garner you respect or derision, depending on your history and prevailing cultural attitudes toward lawyers.

Skill Proficiencies: Deception, Persuasion
Languages: Two of your choice.
Equipment: A book of legal theory and case histories, a pen and bottle of black ink, 3 sheets of paper, fine barrister’s robes, a letter desperately pleading for legal help, and a belt pouch containing 15 gp

FEATURE: LEGAL TRAINING

With your DM, choose a nation or legal system in which you have jurisdiction. You are familiar enough with the law and courtroom procedures of that area to litigate, draw binding contracts, or competently plead a case before a judge or magistrate. With sufficient skills checks, you can also forge legal documents. In your downtime, you might earning a living as a barrister, judge, proctor, or solicitor.

  d4  Law Specialty

1. Barrister. An orator and law expert, you plead cases before a judge on behalf of others.
2. Judge. You hold court and decide the outcome of legal proceedings as a judiciary authority.
3. Proctor. Your authority is over church law within a specific religious organization.
4. Solicitor. You represent the legal interests of others outside of the courtroom, handling contracts and giving legal advice.

SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS

Lawyers come from many backgrounds and personality types. You might be a purehearted advocate for the downtrodden, a corrupt official advancing a personal agenda, or just an amoral sleazebag looking for a break. What these all have in common is the ability to talk themselves out of a tight spot.

  d6  Personality Trait

1. When I get nervous, I talk. A lot.
2. I’ve always got my nose in a book or three.
3. I speak in flowery language, especially when lying.
4. When something important is happening, I tend to lecture or give emotionally charged speeches.
5. I’m a pathological liar.
6. I have a certain word or gesture that I use repeatedly.

  d6  Ideal

1. Mercy. Everyone deserves second chances, even people who don’t appreciate them. (Good)
2. Truth. I can never tell a lie. (Good)
3. Wealth. Gold is my oldest friend, motivator, and confidant. (Neutral)
4. Exactitude. Anything that isn’t correct or perfectly in order is a thorn in my side. (Lawful)
5. Justice. Rules exist to protect people, and I don’t tolerate those who violate them. (Lawful)
6. Influence. If I can pat the right backs, they’ll pat mine. (Any)

  d6  Bond

1. I refused to give someone legal help, and now that person’s life is ruined.
2. My closest friend began as my client. Now we’re inseparable.
3. I got out of law after a particularly high-profile case.
4. My area of expertise is always bringing people to my door.
5. I’ve signed more forged documents than genuine ones in my career.
6. A mysterious person is blackmailing me.

  d6  Flaw

1. I’ll do or say anything to “win.”
2. My cushy lifestyle is everything to me.
3. I’m incapable of letting an argument go, especially when I’m correcting someone.
4. My knowledge of the law is encyclopedic, but I have terrible people skills.
5. I get very upset when people don’t treat me with respect and formality.
6. I can and do make every conversation about me.